What COPPA Means for Students

Kids 8–12 · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Is COPPA, and Why Was It Created?

COPPA stands for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. It is a law passed by the U.S. government to protect children under the age of 13 when they use the internet. The law requires websites, apps, and online services to get a parent’s permission before collecting, using, or sharing any personal information from young kids. Personal information means details like a child’s name, birthday, address, phone number, photos, or even where they are located.

The reason COPPA was created is that children often don’t understand how sharing information online can affect their safety and privacy. Before COPPA, many websites collected kids’ information without parents knowing, which could lead to unsafe situations like unwanted contact or identity theft. COPPA helps fix that by making sure parents are involved in what information their children share online.

For example, if a website wants to let kids sign up for a game or a newsletter, it must first tell the parents what information it wants and get their okay. This way, the child’s information stays safe, and parents stay informed.

How Does COPPA Work? A Step-by-Step Example for Parents and Kids

To understand how COPPA works, imagine a 9-year-old student named Mia wants to join a new educational website that offers fun math games. Here’s what happens under COPPA rules:

1. When Mia tries to create an account, the website asks for some personal information, like her name and email address.
2. Because Mia is under 13, the website doesn’t let her sign up right away.
3. Instead, the website sends a message to Mia’s parents explaining what information it wants to collect and how it will be used.
4. The parents get a form to review and must give permission by clicking a box, signing a form, or sometimes verifying by phone call.
5. Once the parents say yes, Mia can create her account and start playing.
6. The website promises not to share Mia’s information with others or use it in ways the parents didn’t approve.

If the website skips these steps or collects information without parental permission, it is breaking the law and can be fined.

What Permission Looks Like in Practice

Here is a simple example of permission wording a website might use:

“Dear Parent or Guardian, before your child can use our math games, we need your permission to collect their name and email address. We will only use this information to create an account and send you updates about the games. We will never share your child’s information with other companies. Please click ‘I Agree’ to give permission.”

Parents reading this can decide if they want to allow their child to use the site.

Why Is COPPA Important for Students and Their Families?

COPPA is important because children might not know how much of their personal details they are sharing online, or what could happen if the wrong people get that information. For example, sharing a home address or phone number online can be dangerous because strangers could contact the child.

For students aged 8 to 12, who are still learning how to use technology, COPPA gives parents control over what information is collected. This helps protect kids from identity theft, unwanted advertising, or even cyberbullying.

Parents and teachers can use COPPA as a teaching tool to explain why privacy matters. For instance, they can say: “Imagine if you told everyone your phone number — would you feel safe? That’s why we keep some information private online.” Knowing about COPPA helps families make safer choices about which websites and apps kids can use.

Additionally, COPPA encourages websites to build safer online spaces designed for children, which means more kid-friendly games and apps with fewer ads or trackers.

What Kind of Information Does COPPA Protect?

COPPA protects many types of personal information collected from children under 13, including:

• Full name
• Home or email address
• Phone number
• Photos or videos with a child’s face
• Location information, like GPS data
• Screen or user IDs that identify a child
• Voice recordings or audio files

It also covers any other details that might let someone contact or locate a child.

For example, if an app asks for a child’s birthday, that counts as personal information under COPPA rules. Similarly, if a game lets kids chat and share their real names or pictures, the company must have parental consent first.

It’s important to know that COPPA doesn’t apply to general information like how often someone visits a site or what they click on, unless it is linked to personal details. This helps companies collect basic data for improving websites without risking children’s privacy.

How Is COPPA Different from Other Privacy Laws?

People sometimes confuse COPPA with other privacy laws or terms. Here’s how COPPA stands apart:

Understanding these terms helps parents and educators explain privacy rules clearly. COPPA specifically focuses on protecting young children’s personal information online in the United States.

What Can Parents and Teachers Do to Protect Students Under COPPA?

Parents and teachers can take practical steps to ensure kids are safe online and that websites follow COPPA:

1. Check Ages Before Signing Up: Remind children to use only websites or apps designed for their age group. Many platforms state they are for users 13 or older.
2. Read Privacy Policies Together: Before letting a child create an account, review the site’s privacy policy to see if it follows COPPA rules and how it handles kids’ data.
3. Give Permission Carefully: When asked, parents should thoughtfully approve or deny permission for their child’s information to be collected.
4. Set Up Parental Controls: Use built-in controls on devices and apps to limit access to age-appropriate content.
5. Teach Kids About Privacy: Explain why it’s important not to share personal details online without asking an adult.
6. Choose COPPA-Compliant Apps: Use websites and applications that clearly state they follow COPPA guidelines.

For example, parents might say: “Before you enter your name or birthday online, let’s check if the site asks for my permission first.”

Teachers can also guide students by choosing learning tools that respect privacy and discussing safe internet habits in class.

How Does COPPA Affect Educational Technology?

Many schools use online programs to help students with learning, such as reading apps, math games, and virtual classrooms. Because students under 13 use these tools, COPPA requires education technology companies to get parental consent before collecting or sharing student information.

Schools often send permission forms home or use online platforms that alert parents about data collection. Teachers should be aware of COPPA so they can select tools that protect students’ privacy and explain to families how their children’s information is handled.

For example, a reading app might collect a student’s progress but must do so under parental permission and promise not to share that data without consent. If a school uses platforms that don’t follow COPPA, it could face legal trouble.

Teachers can also help parents understand the law and recommend safe apps. This teamwork between school and home supports children’s learning and privacy.

What Should You Do Next if You Want to Learn More or Protect Your Child?

If you are a parent or teacher wanting to know more about COPPA or how to protect students, here are some helpful next steps:

• Visit trusted websites like the Federal Trade Commission to read about COPPA rules in clear language.
• Look for articles such as What COPPA Stands For and COPPA for Beginners: What You Need to Know to get simple explanations.
• Use kid-friendly online tools and apps that state they follow COPPA.
• Talk with your child about why privacy matters and what information is okay to share.
• If you believe a website is breaking COPPA rules, report it to the FTC for investigation.
• For students with special needs, check resources like COPPA for Students with Disabilities to understand how the law helps all children.

By taking these steps, adults can help children enjoy the internet safely while respecting their privacy and the law.

Frequently asked questions

Can kids under 13 create accounts on popular social media platforms?

Most social media sites require users to be at least 13 years old because COPPA restricts collecting personal information from younger children. Kids under 13 should use websites designed for younger users or wait until they are older to join social media safely.

What exactly counts as personal information under COPPA?

Personal information includes a child’s name, address, phone number, email, photos, videos, and location data. It also covers online identifiers like screen names or IP addresses if they can identify a child.

Does COPPA apply to mobile apps and games on tablets or phones?

Yes, COPPA applies to any online service, including mobile apps and games, that collect personal information from children under 13. Developers must get parental consent before collecting data from kids.

How can teachers explain COPPA to students aged 8–12?

Teachers can use simple examples like, “We don’t share our full names or addresses with strangers online,” and explain that websites must ask parents before collecting information. Role-playing or class discussions about privacy can help kids understand.

What should parents do if they think a website is not following COPPA?

Parents can report suspected violations to the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces COPPA rules. This helps protect other children and encourages websites to follow the law.

Are there exceptions to COPPA when collecting children’s information?

Some limited exceptions exist, such as collecting information to protect a child’s safety or for certain educational uses with parental consent. However, most personal data collection from children under 13 requires parental permission.